The right to profess and practice religion is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order and societal norms, the Patna High Court has said.
It made the remarks while dismissing a plea seeking permission for 300 devotees to take part in an annual religious procession in Bihar’s Siwan, where attendance has been restricted to maintain law and order.
The petitioner sought the court’s direction to the authorities that the annual procession by a local monastic order (Akhara) organised on the 11th day of Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha, according to the Hindu calendar, be allowed to proceed on its traditional route with at least 300 devotees in attendance.
The plea claimed that the permitted number of people in attendance was reduced from 200 in 2012 and 2013 to 150 in 2014, 100 in 2015 and eventually to five in 2023 and henceforth, besides a change in the traditional route.
It was argued that the restrictions infringed on the devotees’ fundamental rig
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